Myth or not?

[mlm1117]

Hey everyone! My name is Melanie and my husband and I are thinking about starting this WOL. We have already read the book, and think this would be a great fit for us. We had decent luck with "The Biggest Loser" diet this past spring, but soon stalled out and got bored and are hoping to find success with Atkins. My husband needs to lose around 60 lbs, but I need to shed over 3 times that much. I have been diagnosed with Hypothyroidism, PCOS, insulin resistance, and most recently high blood pressure. I also need to have my gall bladder removed because it is not functioning properly (so non-emergency) but because of my weight all doctors recommend that I wait since I am too high risk for surgery. The saddest part is that I am only 27 and way too young to have this many medical issues.


I mentioned that I may start Atkins and my mom flipped out telling me it would damage my liver/kidneys. Is this true? In my opinion, being obese is probably more likely to damage my organs than this WOL, but I am curious if there is any research out there to the contrary. I would really love some insight and I know that this board is a wealth of knowledge. Thanks in advance!

[DuchessOfDork]

There is no evidence that I've seen that Atkins damages your liver and kidneys. From what I've heard, that's a myth.

I think you'll have great success on this WOE if you give it a shot.

[kate58]

There were some suggestions way back that it damaged the kidneys (never heard the liver one) but nobody was ever able to produce any evidence for that. I think it arose from Dr A saying that anyone with a pre-existing kidney condition should take advice from their physician. If it had been a real issue, with the number of people eating this way, we would surely have seen evidence of it in the Medical press by now. There is nothing.

You will get a LOT of that sort of thing when you are on Atkins. Ignore it, they soon stop when the weight starts going and you are looking loads healthier and fitter.

Given all the issues you have I would highly recommend that you also read "Good Calories, Bad Calories" by Gary Taubes, or watch this (very) long lecture he gave at Berkeley. It will totally change the way you think about health and food and weight and arm you well for the naysayers.

[Jace]

Welcome to !

As far as kidneys go, if they are healthy before starting Atkins then this WOL will not harm them. However, if you have kidney problems prior to starting Atkins, the preexisting problem may be exacerbated and this may not be the best WOL to follow. If you are unsure, always speak to your doctor first and get his/her advice.

If you need anything please feel free to give a shout and best of luck on your weight loss journey!

~Far la bella figura!

[bivium6]

In all the research I've done about Atkins, all the studies that say Atkins is bad for you are the ones who don't follow the book.

[LCer09]

Originally Posted by mlm1117

I have been diagnosed with Hypothyroidism, PCOS, insulin resistance, and most recently high blood pressure.

Wow. You really, really need to be on Atkins. Seriously, this was me a few years back, and Atkins cured ALL of that, plus knocked off about 100lbs. Feel free to chat with me if you have any questions, I lurk more than anything around here, and don't read the boards much anymore. My mother still thinks I'm going to die, mothers are just that way sometimes.

[SandyL2002]

Hi... I want to tell you what Atkins does for me... It helps my Gerd issues(major heartburn)...My headaches go away...My IBS goes away... Too me that is so worth it..

YES you eat a lot of meat the first week...because you are using FAT to get rid of the Sugar Cravings.. But we eat VEGGIES...lots of them..and if a VEGGIE is bad for you...I don't know what to say...lol

Once you get past the detox of the bad carbs.. White Sugar, White Flour...you will start to eat less meat... Then as you move into Owl phase..you will start to add things back in.. YES you will have Fruit again.. YES you will have Whole Grains..Milk products...etc...

[Mirya]

Originally Posted by mlm1117

Hey everyone! My name is Melanie and my husband and I are thinking about starting this WOL. We have already read the book, and think this would be a great fit for us. We had decent luck with "The Biggest Loser" diet this past spring, but soon stalled out and got bored and are hoping to find success with Atkins. My husband needs to lose around 60 lbs, but I need to shed over 3 times that much. I have been diagnosed with Hypothyroidism, PCOS, insulin resistance, and most recently high blood pressure. I also need to have my gall bladder removed because it is not functioning properly (so non-emergency) but because of my weight all doctors recommend that I wait since I am too high risk for surgery. The saddest part is that I am only 27 and way too young to have this many medical issues.


I mentioned that I may start Atkins and my mom flipped out telling me it would damage my liver/kidneys. Is this true? In my opinion, being obese is probably more likely to damage my organs than this WOL, but I am curious if there is any research out there to the contrary. I would really love some insight and I know that this board is a wealth of knowledge. Thanks in advance!

Wth your already present medical issues discuss this with your doctor before starting as you may do damage to youself, as with ANY diet. ATKINS diet is protein and veggies for the most part. Its a personal choice to eat the fatty foods. If something happens to the liver and kidneys that your referring to its more than likely something that was already present and undetected but irritated by the liquid flow or chemical changes in the body. In the body of the average/normal person this diet is absolutely perfect but as it says in the book if you already have medical issues you should always consult a physician before starting ANY diet. Not just this one.

Hope that helps a bit.

[kate58]

I agree with Miyra about talking to your doctor, but if he/she is one of those who are anti-low carb, then try to speak with one who knows more about this way of eating or at least who is open to the idea. They are becoming more common.

I have to take issue with this though:

ATKINS diet is protein and veggies for the most part. Its a personal choice to eat the fatty foods.

Not really, the high fat is the key thing, not an optional thing. Atkins is a high fat, moderate protein, controlled carbohydrate diet. Most of your calories should come from fat, about 65% during induction, less later but still a high percentage.

[*Emma*]

Yep just the thing i was going to pick out.

Atkins is a high fat diet, period.

if you aint eating high fat, you aint doing Atkins!

the thing i struggle with is keeping my protein percentage low, of all things. so i would never consider this a high protein diet!